Physical activity (PA) in the United States progressively continues to decline despite research highlighting the importance of an active lifestyle. Particularly, recommended levels of PA are associated with reduced risk for a large number of negative, yet preventable health conditions in apparently healthy populations. Unfortunately, individuals who report having one or more disabilities perform far less PA than their apparently healthy counterparts. While technological advancements such as wearable devices to monitor PA have become popular, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of wearable technology-based interventions on increasing PA levels and improving health outcomes in college students and individuals with disabilities. Thus, the purposes of this investigation were (1) to evaluate if providing a Fitbit PA tracking device to college students with disabilities would increase PA and improve health outcomes such as cardiovascular (CV) fitness and body composition, and (2) to investigate whether the addition of health education sessions would provide additional benefits. A total of 24 participants (27 ± 7 years) were given a Fitbit and had their PA monitored over twelve weeks. Group randomization was conducted where one group received only the Fitbit (FO) and a second group where participants also received health education sessions (E+F). Pre and post physiological assessments were also conducted. No significant group*time interactions were observed. Significant increases in mean treadmill duration and VO 2peak occurred from pre to post. Mean daily steps in the E+F group were significantly higher than the FO group (8134 ± 441 vs. 7581 ± 577, respectively). Twelve weeks of Fitbit usage was effective in increasing CV fitness in individuals who identified as having one or more disabilities. Considering the lack of a significant improvement in health outcomes by the addition of educational programming the use of a Fitbit alone may be sufficient to improve CV fitness in this population.

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Background: Preconditioning and prehabilitation have been reported to ameliorate a host of health- and cancer-related issues, yet few studies have examined implications of past physical activity (PA) on physiological and psychological parameters in cancer survivors. Implications of prior PA on physiological and psychosocial variables in cancer survivors were acquired during an initial assessment prior to participation in a cancer rehabilitation program. Methods: Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak), fatigue (Piper Fatigue Scale, PFS), and depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI) were measured (N = 807; 67 ± 13 years). PA groups were divided by self-reported prior PA history (Group 1 = none; Group 2 < 150 min/week; Group 3 ≥ 150 min/week). Results: Significant (P < 0.05) main effects for PA were observed among all variables except the PFS affective subscale. Groups 1 and 3 were significantly (P < 0.05) different for BDI. Groups 1 and 3 were significantly (P < 0.05) different for the total, sensory, and cognitive subscales of the PFS. Finally, Groups 1 and 3, and Groups 2 and 3 differed significantly (P < 0.05) for the behavioral, sensory, and cognitive subscales of the PFS. Conclusion: Cancer survivors with prior PA levels ≥ 150 min/week performed better on measures of VO2peak, were significantly less fatigued and depressed at initial assessment.

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